Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Teens

What Causes PTSD in Teens?

PTSD in teens is the mental, emotional, and physical fallout following traumatic experiences. What constitutes a trauma varies from person to person. Sometimes, trauma is a singular event like the loss of a beloved family member, an incident of violence, or assault. Sometimes, it is more nuanced, like moving to a new town and leaving friends and family behind, being bullied at school, or divorce and family separation. These experiences in a young person’s life can easily overwhelm a child or teen, leaving them to see the world as an unsafe, dangerous, or out-of-control place. Because of the sensitive nature and underdeveloped coping skills of teens, they are more susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies have shown about 14 to 43% of adolescents will experience at least one traumatic event. Up to 15% of girls and 6% of boys will develop some form of PTSD, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health concerns in this vulnerable age group.

Trauma and PTSD

PTSD is a mental health problem that many people develop following a traumatic event. Although trauma can look different for everyone, many think of it as being part of or witnessing a life-threatening event. This might include a car accident, natural disaster, physical or sexual abuse, or war. It is common to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or see changes in sleeping or eating patterns for a period of time after trauma. If symptoms persist for more than a couple of months, a diagnosis of PTSD may be appropriate.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD in Teens and Adolescents

Children and adolescents who have been through severe trauma often have post-traumatic stress symptoms. They can last for months or even years after the event. The severity of symptoms depends greatly on support from family members, the victim’s proximity to the event, and how soon treatment for PTSD is sought. Teen PTSD symptoms will typically develop within the first three months following the traumatic event, but sometimes, symptoms may not surface for months or years later. Common symptoms include:

Re-living the Trauma

Teens with PTSD may re-live the traumatic event. Nightmares, flashbacks, and/or difficult and disturbing mental images are common.

Emotional Numbness

Feeling detached, dissociated, and/or numb is typical. However, the individual experiencing emotional numbness may not actively be trying to numb it. This is often the brain’s attempt to psychologically “protect” the individual. This may even manifest as regression to past childlike tendencies, such as bedwetting or sucking a thumb.

Avoidance

Those with PTSD tend to avoid things that are reminders of the traumatic event. This might mean avoiding people, places, activities, or certain objects. They may also avoid opening up or talking about the trauma, have a difficult time trusting others, or may lose interest in previously enjoyed activities.

Anxiety

As a result of the trauma, people developing PTSD often have higher levels of stress hormones in the body. These stress hormones can then cause those with PTSD to experience hyper-vigilance. This includes feeling jumpy, on edge, easily startled, or irritable, often causing low self-esteem and trouble concentrating in school or during activities. Anxiety in teens after trauma can also contribute to difficulties with sleep.

Physical Discomfort

Often accompanying anxiety, a sense of discomfort, or even illness following a traumatic experience is common in those with PTSD. This illness can manifest as headaches, stomachaches, or a sense of discomfort from physical contact, often leading those with PTSD to shy away from physical contact altogether.

Effects of PTSD in Adolescents and Teens

Adolescents dealing with PTSD can find that their emotional and behavioral symptoms begin to overtake their lives. Teens with PTSD must receive proper help in order to treat these symptoms. Untreated PTSD in teens may result in several concurrent illnesses and disorders, including:

Anxiety disorder

Depression

Extreme aggression

Behavioral problems

Inability to form bonds with others

Inappropriate sexual behavior

Substance abuse

Self-harm or suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Borderline personality disorder

How Can You Help Your Teenager With PTSD?

Watching your teen struggle with the symptoms of PTSD can be extremely challenging. There are a few things you can do to help support your teen’s trauma recovery:

Encourage your teen to talk with safe and supportive people – provide your child with ongoing opportunities to talk about the traumatic experience or simply spend one-on-one time together. These are crucial aspects of coping with PTSD. A strong support system can assist the teen in feeling safe and encouraged.
Don’t pressure your teen – talking about traumatic events is difficult for anyone, especially when it comes to teenagers. However, it is a fundamental aspect of healing, and it may take your child time to open up.
Be honest – if your teen has experienced trauma, steer clear of acting like everything is “okay.” Age may be a factor in how much information you share, although it is important to be honest and open with your child. Knowing how to talk to a teen about PTSD may be as simple as being honest and open.
Education – helping educate your teen about anxiety, trauma, and PTSD is vital to their well-being. Knowing the facts can help your teen understand their personal experience and validate what they are going through.
Get help – Find a mental health professional for your child who specializes in the treatment of trauma and PTSD.

How Can Your Teen Cope?

Many teens with PTSD develop unhealthy coping strategies. They may turn to drugs or alcohol to “numb out” the difficult feelings associated with the experienced trauma(s). However, there are healthy ways to cope with teen PTSD, including:

Keeping a Routine – Structure and schedule are important aspects of stability in any teenager’s life. This becomes even more important when a teen is struggling with PTSD. This is because they tend to view the world through a heightened, fear-based lens. Maintaining regular meals, homework, or activity times can help reduce this fear and provide a sense of security.
Breathing Techniques – Anxiety associated with PTSD triggers can be greatly reduced by slowing one’s breathing.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation – A common side effect of anxiety associated with PTSD is muscle tension. Unfortunately, this physical muscle tension can signal “danger” in the brain, causing hyper-vigilance. By learning progressive muscle relaxation, your teen can manage muscle tension. This will increase their sense of calmness.
Exercise – Physical activity can help with mood-stabilization. It helps decrease anxiety and maintain a regular sleep schedule.

Nutrition – Food can have a significant impact on your teen’s mood. For example, eating unhealthy foods may impact their ability to manage emotions. A healthy, well-rounded diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, high-quality proteins, and healthy fats is a great approach for coping with PTSD.
Engage in Activities – Most likely, there is one (or more) activity your teen enjoys doing. As a result of PTSD, there may be a decreased sense of motivation to engage. It is imperative he or she continues to participate in these enjoyable activities. Getting back to a loved sport or hobby can greatly contribute to healing and managing the symptoms of PTSD.
Learn Grounding Techniques – A common side effect of trauma and PTSD is flashbacks. Although flashbacks are a normal response to a traumatic event, they can be extremely frightening. Learning ways to ground oneself and come back to the present moment helps teens move through flashbacks in a healthy way. Some quick ways to ground oneself include:

Name all the objects around you
Run cold water over your hands or splash your face with water
Check in with yourself and label the emotions you are experiencing
Pick out five red, blue, green, etc. objects in the room
Take off your shoes, put your feet on the ground, and describe what you feel
Repeat a mantra as “I am here. I am safe.”

Teen Residential Treatment Facility for PTSD

Proper treatment following a traumatic event is vital to prevent PTSD complications. With proper evaluation, treatment, and support, most teens who have PTSD recover. They go on to live happy and productive lives. If your child is struggling with PTSD or coping with a traumatic life event, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional right away. Proper mental health treatment can help a child or teen develop the coping skills necessary to resume their daily lives.

Learning ways to cope with the unfortunate side effects of PTSD is significant, especially when it comes to healthy symptom management. Many teens with PTSD may require more formal mental health intervention, but it is often difficult to know when to seek professional help for teen PTSD. If you think your teen may need further treatment, contact Polaris®️ Teen Center at 1-844-836-0222 to find out more about our treatment options and services.

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